Blog #2: Elder Drivers

Although I doubt this will ever happen, I personally believe the state of Florida (and all other states!) should enact a mandatory driving test for all drivers. I understand that as people grow older the cause of accidental deaths being motor vehicles increases, therefore I believe that as people get older the driving test should become more regular. In my opinion the driving test should be every ten years until age fifty, then every five years until age eighty-five, then annually for as long as they are able to pass the test.

I personally have seen that different people age differently, some ninety year olds are better drivers than some twenty year olds. I know my grandmother that was driving at age ninety three should have lost her license at about age eighty, as she was a very unsafe driver. My parents repeatedly tried to convince my grandmother to turn in her license, however she always refused. My great uncle, whom passed away at age ninety-five, was a great driver his entire life. I personally feel he was a better driver than many of my friends are. He knew his eye sight was poorer than someone my age; therefore he paid great attention to the road while many people my age are on their cell phones or playing with their stereos.

I have heard many people say how Florida has the worst drivers because we have one of the highest populations of elderly in the United States. Although I do agree that many elderly are not the best drivers, I do not feel this is the sole reason that Florida has bad drivers. I feel that Florida moves at a fast pace and many of our residents are constantly on the go, because of this many of our drivers are careless and are just trying to get somewhere quickly rather than safely. I think enacting a mandatory driving test for all of our drivers would significantly lower Florida’s motor-vehicle accident rate.